Scribd
Upload
28 views15 pages

Creating Breakthrough at 3M

The document discusses 3M's approach to creating breakthrough innovations through identifying and collaborating with "lead users". It defines lead users as individuals or companies that have already developed elements of commercially attractive breakthroughs. The lead user process involves 4 steps: laying the foundation with a project team, determining trends by talking to experts, identifying savvy lead users through research, and developing breakthrough ideas and strategies through workshops with lead users. While time-consuming and expensive, the process opens new opportunities, builds competitive advantage through long-term ideas, and generates multiple concepts in a flexible way.

Uploaded by

Trifan_Dumitru
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
28 views15 pages

Creating Breakthrough at 3M

The document discusses 3M's approach to creating breakthrough innovations through identifying and collaborating with "lead users". It defines lead users as individuals or companies that have already developed elements of commercially attractive breakthroughs. The lead user process involves 4 steps: laying the foundation with a project team, determining trends by talking to experts, identifying savvy lead users through research, and developing breakthrough ideas and strategies through workshops with lead users. While time-consuming and expensive, the process opens new opportunities, builds competitive advantage through long-term ideas, and generates multiple concepts in a flexible way.

Uploaded by

Trifan_Dumitru
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 15

Creating

breakthroughs at 3M
Index
 What is a breakthrough?
 Breakthrough – better understanding
 Differences between breakthrough and
extension in companies
 Two reasons of failing in innovation
 About 3M
 Lead user – definition, process and steps
 Advantages vs disadvantages of lead user
process
What is a breakthrough?

Any major progress; such as a great


innovation or discovery that overcomes a
significant obstacle.
Breakthrough=

D - Durchbruch
It - sfondamento
Cz - objev
Bg - важно научно откритие
Tr - cepheyi yarıp geçme
Pt - importante descoberta
Ro - descoperire
Differences between breakthrough and
extension in companies

Extension= developing of existing


products and services
Breakthrough= creation of a new product,
starting from zero
Two reasons of failing in innovation

Companies focus on the short term (they


must survive today to be around tomorrow)
 Developers don’t know how to achieve
breakthroughs ( there is no effective system
in place to guide them and support)
About 3M
A diversified technology company serving
customers and communities with innovative products
and services.
“Get-out-of-the-way” attitude towards
developers that seek forgiveness instead of asking
permission.
From current products to exciting products
(breakthrough)
Need for innovative people (lead users)
Lead user

Lead user = company or people that has


already developed elements of commercially
attractive breakthroughs.
Savvy users outside the company
Rare into the market
Wanted by the company’s project team
The lead user process
It is a process that generates breakthrough
strategies, products and services systematic.

It is based on two major findings by innovation


researchers:
the product is first tested by the users instead
of the manufactures
a product is developed by a lead user for a
market that have bigger needs than the common
user.
Steps of the lead user process

There are 4 steps for this process:


 Laying the foundation
 Determining the trends
 Identifying lead users
 Developing the breakthroughs
Laying the foundation

 Team of 4-6 members


 Identifying the target market
 Establishing the level of innovations
desired
Determining the trends

 Talking to experts in the field.


 Getting a better understanding of
important trends in their area.

© Erhan Nadejda, Matei Ana-Maria,


Negara Ana
Identifying lead users

 Research
 Using a networking process (e.g.
telephone interviews)
 Learn from them
 Chose the best of them
Developing the breakthroughs

Host the workshop made form the lead


users
Generate ideas
Chose the idea that fits with the
company’s needs
Advantages vs disadvantages of
lead user process

 Opens up new avenues  It takes much time


 Team building  Some of the lead users may
 Competitive advantage not accept the collaboration
 Long-term earning  It generates products not
accessible for everyone
 It generates more than
one idea  It does not always
guarantee success
 Flexible (it can be applied
in different domains).  It’s expensive.

You might also like